Dredging device, (pontoon.)



E. P. BERRY.

DREDGING DEVICE (PONTOON).

APPLICATION FILED 001 29, 1912.

1,065,658, Patented June 24,1913.

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erase AENT DREDGING DEVICE, (PON'IOON.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD I BERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging Devices, (Pontoons,) of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in dredging apparatus and has more particular reference to overcoming the known disadvantages or objections attending the use of the ordinary wooden pontoon adapted to support on the surface of water the dredging pipe.

In the case of the wooden pontoon, it will be appreciated that in turbulent waters, especially during stormy weather, the buffeting about of the pontoon in various directions and manner and at times under considerable force tends to rupture or distort the dredging pipe, whereas if the pipecould be conveniently lowered beneath the surface of the water for the time being it would be well protected againstthe harmful tendencies to which I have alluded.

The spirit underlying my present improvements is the overcoming of the ob jections above referred to and the securing of the advantages to which I have also referred, as well as other advantages as will appear hereinafter.

To the ends stated, the invent-ion comprehends broadly the provision of pontoons in the nature of air cylinders adapted to support the dredging pipe at the surface of the water but preferably out of engagement with the latter, in combination with means whereby the air cylinders may be filled with water to lessenthe buoyancy of the air cylinders sufficiently to permit the pipe and pontoons to be submerged either to a substantial depth beneath the surface of the water or to the river bed as the case may be, it being understood that in keeping with the flexibly connected pipe sections (enabling the conformation of the piping to the river bed, and permitting the vertical or horizontal deflection of the sections when supported at the surface of the water), the pontoons are of length similar to the sections; and the air controlling pipe leading to the pontoons is also made in sections flexibly connected together to afford a common continuous supply pipe for the air. The pon- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 29, 1912.

Patented June 24, 1913.

Serial No. 728,514.

toons extend the full length of the dredging pipe and carry said pipe.

I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof the preferred embodiment of my invention, and improved details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon an examination of such drawings, when read in connection with the specific description hereinafter contained. It will, however, also be clear that while I am herein disclosing one special embodiment of the invention, said invention is capable of successful embodiment in other forms and devices not necessary to be herein set forth.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of two adjoining sections of dredging pipe with a pair of my improved pontoons supporting the same, Fig. 9. is a side View of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the pontoons.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference letters designate corresponding parts in the several views, A represents sections of a suction dredge discharge pipe flexibly connected together, as at B; to enable the desired relative freedom of movement of the sections, conveniently accomplished in a manner as set forth in my copending application executed of even date herewith and covering my improved type of flexible coupling. To support the piping at the surface of the water I provide pontoons equaling in number the pipe sect-ions and devoted one pontoon to each pipe section so that each section may be said to be independently supported and capable of movement to the extent permitted by the flexible couplings.

It will be necessary to describe but one of the pontoons inasmuch as they are all alike. Each pontoon comprises a pair of air cylinders C conveniently of metal as is also the discharge pipe A, the cylinders being parallel with the discharge pipe but occupying a plane so that the pontoon when floating upon the surface of the water will support the discharge pipe in an elevated position out of engagement with the water, and this I regard as advantageous in that it enables easy repair of the line connection.

Cradles or yokes are employed to connect, separate and brace the discharge pipe section and pontoon cylinders together, the cradles comprising pairs of rings D split and bolted together as at (Z to be clamped at the opposite ends of the air cylinders and upper and lower bars E F, the latter arranged in an approximately horizontal position and the forn'i-er with its ends diverging from the pipe section to the pontoon cyliinlers. 'lhese bars are separated a substantial distance apart with the bars E olfset at the ends and riveted, as atv f to the rings D, the ends of the bars F fitting be tween split rings D. The central portions of the bars E are curved downwardly, as at a to constitute seats for the suction dis charge pipe A, bolts G connecting the same and flanged d-shaped clamping rings a together and binding them upon the suction pipe. Tie rods a" connect the bars E and F together and brace them, as shown, said rods diverging upwardly to the said bar E from the bar F. By having the upper and lower bars E and F separated widely apart the pontoon members are reinforced and braced to overcome any tendency to turn or twist with reference to the suction discharge pipe A and with reference to each other.

As a means for supplying air to the air cylinders C of each pontoon and to the corresponding cylinders of all of the pontoons I provide a common air supply pipe ll extending from an air compressor, for example, located on the dredging boat, and running longitudinally along the pipe A to substantially the full length of the latter, suitable supporting legs or braces J being provided forsaid supply pipe H and. diverging downwardly therefrom to points of his tening with the pipe A, supporting and bracing the air pipe H. The air pipe H is sectional in character, corresponding generally to the sectional character of the pipe A, the adjoining sections of air pipe being connected through the medium of flexible couplings 17L enabling relative independent movement of the air pipe sections in keeping with the movement of the individual pontoons and suction pipe sections carried thereby and on each pontoon branches it lead laterally from the main supply pipe H to the air cylinders C at points approximately the longitudinal centers thereof and at the tops of said air cylinders.

Within each of the cylinders I provide a water outlet pipe K leading from a point adjacent to the bottom of the air cylinder upwardly and laterally through the side portion thereof, as at near the water line.

From the foregoing construction it will be apparent that to maintain the pontoon and pipe in raised or floating condition the air cylinders are filled with air to give the latter the proper buoyancy for accomplishing the purpose desired. However, when conditions demand or where found expedient the pontoons may be relieved of their buoyant character partially or entirely as the case may be, to enable the submerging of the same with the pipe A. and the dropping of the same by gravity to the bed of the river, the flexible connections between the pipe sections A and between the air pipe sections ll enabling proper confirmation to the irregular surface of said bed to prevent undue strains, etc. This is accomplished by permitting escape of the air pressure and permitting the water to enter the pipe K, gradually filling the cylinders C. hen it is desired to again raise the pontoons and pipe, the air is again fed through the pipe ll into the tops of the air cylinders above the water and the water is forced by the air downwardly and outwardly through the pipes K until the desired amount of air has been introduced .into the air cylinders and the proper buoyancy obtained therefrom.

The strength and efliciency of my cradle construction will be apparent, but it may be here added that the arrangement of the air supply pipe and its branches, the latter being substantially parallel to the braces E, acts as additioi'ial braces for the pontoon reservoirs; and by reason of the raised posi tion of the dredging pipe, the latter is free entirely throughout and sinrrounding the same, permitting accessibility and repair at any point or place desired without interferonce from the water over which the same may lie.

I claim 1. ln combination with a sectional flexibly connected dredging pipe, of pontoons for the pipe sections, each pontoon including an air cylinder, connections securing the cylinder to the adjacent pipe section, and means for supplying air to said air cylinders comprising a common sectional supply pipe flexibly connected at adjoining sections, and branches leading from said common supply pipe to the air cylinders, substantially as described.

2. In combination with a flexibly connected sectional dredging pipe, of a plurality of pontoons associated therewith, each pontoon comprising a pair of air chambers at opposite sides of a pipe section, means for securing the air chambers to the pipe section, and means for supplying air to the air cylinders including a common supply pipe of sections flexibly connected together, and branches from said common supply pipe to the opposite air cylinders, substantially as described.

8. In con'ibination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith, said pontoon comprising an air cylinder located to one side of said pipe, a cradle connecting the pipe to said air cylinder, and means for supplying air to the cylinder, substantially as described.

a. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith, said pontoon comprising an air cylinder located to one side of said pipe, a cradle connecting the pipe to said air cylinder, means for supplying air to the cylinder, and a pipe leading from the inside of the cylinder to the outside thereof, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith, said pontoon comprising an air cylinder located to one side of said pipe, a cradle connecting the pipe and said air cylinder, means for supplying air to the cylinder, a pipe leading from the inside of the cylinder to the outside thereof at a point near the water line, the air pipe leading into the top of the cylinder, substantially as described.

6. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith comprising an air cylinder having a water opening, a cradle connecting the cylinder to the pipe, and means for feeding air to the cylinder comprising a supply pipe extending longitudinally of the dredging pipe and cylinder and feeding to the cylinder, and supporting means for said supply pipe, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith, said pontoon comprising an air cylinder, and means for controlling the supply of air to said cylinder.

8. The combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith comprising a pair of air cylinders arranged at opposite sides of said pipe, a cradle connecting the air cylinders to the pipe, said cylinders having water openings, and air supply pipes leading to said cylinders.

9. In combination with a dredge pipe, of

a pontoon associated therewith comprising a pair of air cylinders arranged at opposite sides of said pipe, a cradle connecting the air cylinders to the pipe, said cylinders having water openings, and air supply pipes leading to said cylinders, the water openings comprising pipes leading from the bottom portion of the interior of the air cylinders upwardly therefrom to the outside of the cylinders adjacent to the water line, and the air inlets leading into the tops of the air cylinders, substantially as described.

10. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith compris ing a pair of air cylinders arranged with the dredge pipe therebetween at a point thereabove, a cradle for connecting, spacing and bracing the air cylinders and pipe with reference to each other comprising an upper bar secured to the discharge pipe, and a lower bar extending in approximately a horizontal direction and in opposite directions from beneath the discharge pipe, and rings secured to the pontoons and to the upper and lower bars of the cradle, substantially as described.

11. In combination with a dredging pipe, of a pontoon associated therewith, said pontoon comprising an air cylinder adapted to receive water, said cylinder having an eX- haust opening for the water, and means for supplying air to the cylinder, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD F. BERRY.

Witnesses K. J oHNsoN, I KLING.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

